Shift in Burning Timings: A Growing Concern Over Farmers' Efforts to Avoid Detection

In a surprising twist, satellite data from South Korea has revealed a possible strategy by farmers in north-west India and Pakistan to avoid detection while burning crop residues. The discovery has raised questions about the accuracy of current monitoring methods and sparked debate over the true extent of stubble burning in the region.

According to experts from NASA, if farmers are intentionally avoiding satellite overpasses during late afternoon to burn their residues, it could lead to false assumptions about declining numbers of reported fires. This theory was first highlighted by Hiren Jethva, a senior research scientist at NASA, who posted on X (formerly Twitter) in October about localized puffs of smoke in the region, suggesting that farmers may be timing their burns to coincide with satellite overpass times.

The issue is further complicated by the fact that India's geostationary satellite images do not always capture all fire activity. While some states like Punjab and Haryana have seen reductions in stubble burning incidents, the concentration of aerosol particles contributing to air pollution remains largely unchanged.

In an interview with The Times of India, Dr Jethva explained how his analysis of GEO-KOMPSAT-2A data revealed that fire activities were concentrated during late afternoon hours past NASA-NOAA satellite overpass time. This observation raises further suspicions about whether farmers are deliberately altering the timing of their stubble burning activities.

Government agencies have reported a significant decrease in stubble burning incidents, particularly from Punjab and Haryana, with the number dropping by 80-90% compared to 2020. However, concerns persist that relying solely on reported fire counts may not accurately reflect the true extent of the problem.

Local officials have rejected claims that farmers are deliberately changing their burning patterns to avoid detection. Adarshpal Vig, Chairman of Punjab Pollution Control Board, stated that data from the satellite images captures incidents of stubble burning, including those occurring at night, dispelling the theory.

As the debate rages on over effective monitoring and mitigation strategies for crop residue burning in north-west India and Pakistan, scientists are now calling for more accurate methods to track fire activity. The discovery highlights the need for continued investigation and improved data collection techniques to address environmental concerns effectively.